It may actually be a good thing if Subarus look like Alfa Romeos. You get proven AWD and performance inside that unique looking shell. Hopefully they’ll roll out Subarus that look much more unique and aerodynamic than the current models.

Except for the fact that Andreas Zapatinas had nothing to do with the “propeller nose” grill design, which was present in concepts long before he joined the company. Zapatinas’ designs will show up in the 2008 model year. Odd that they fired him before public response to his work could be gauged…

No surprise here.

Jared, everyone needs a scapegoat. It’s actually a very important position in any big corporation.

Veda: Where do you get that future Subarus will look like Alfas?

About time

Good riddance.

I liked it because it looked like an Edsel, but then again very few people like the Edsel

I hope they switch the “propeller nose” treatment for the “hydrocephalic dwarf forehead” …. a design which should take the automotive world by storm.
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As for recognizing that ugly noses just don’t hack it, Honda should take note of Subaru’s move before Honda dumps that butt ugly new CRV on the market.

I am with Ricky Head on that…
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Subie’s nose is fugly, indeed.
CRV’s hood doesn’t close all the way…there is a HUGE gap that’s suppossed to be the grill, but it ends up looking as loose as the first generation Durango’s butt with that 17 foot gap between sheetmetal and plastic.
Camry’s grill is an open mouth with the uvula hanging down with the second-surface decal glued on.

On that car, I think its fat, bloated ass is worse than the grille.

ss–”i loved the STI witht he previous nose design. ”

Yep. That was the best one, what did they make that for, like one year?

Some cars this front looked good and others it looked horrible. How about no more brand wide grills?

Subaru should revamp thier corporate ID first. That dorky logo has got to go.

subaru is ugly, mitsubishi is better

The B9 Tribecas “propeller nose” looks out of place at best, that is true. I saw a few today and they look nothing like other cars on the road, as a good thing it’s not plain looking but it’s very different, and put simply ugly. I liked it on the Impreza sedan, it looked aggressive and it looked different from other sedans on the road, yet it was functional and performance orientated.

Andreas was a x-alfa romeo design cheif, hence bringing ths so called ‘propeller nose’ to subaru. if you look at the subaru grill upside down, you can totally see where the origin of the theme…..Alfa!! i believe he tried to bring too much of ‘alfa’ instead of giving subaru more unique design identity. whomever the new design cheif is gonna be, i hope subaru will develope design language that matches its performance pedigree

When did they suddenly realize this?

yeah…. that took them a long time to figure. subarus are great cars i have one myself but… DAMN THEY ARE UGLY!!!

[...] Subaru design shakeup: company scraps unpopular grille design | Leftlane – Car News For Enthusiasts [...]

finally, they should listen to us before rolling out azteks. Do some research

They might change the design, but the car is still a POS.

the grill is ugly like that …If they just have the center grill turned upside down, it would look more like an alfa romeo…not sure if alfa would complain since the suburu one is wider…anyways, the suv in general is a turn off

They should have seen this coming.

So bad they should recall and retrofit a new nose and offer a public apology.

I like how nobody responded to the subaru haters. Subaru = great.

yea, subbies are ugly, but they will smoke/out handle almost any car in their price range(other than EVO)

looks really ****

Bring back the Brat with the lawn chairs in the bed. Has anyone ever seen a Baja on the street?

Maybe Subaru should have given the nose, the consumers and Zapatinas more time to adjust just like what BMW gave Mr. Bangle and now BMW is still increasing sales while looking a bit different from the usual anonymous designs. Even rival automakers are catching on with the design. Subaru is still having a sales growth in the US so I don’t think the Subaru nose has anything to do with it. Mr. Zapatinas did a good job of making the Subarus stand out from the crowd and this is what he gets. Maybe Subaru should take a good look at the UGLY SUBARU FORESTER and see what I mean.

About time they did something about the design.

Fire those who okayed things to this point.

yeah never liked that grill anyway

Andrew, I think he meant the current Subaru’s look like Alfas, and I have to agree. I’m not a fan of that grill either, especially on the Impreza, looked less sporty. If I was to consider an STi, I think the styling would sway me away.

That grille design was stolen from a 1950’s SAAB 93, a car with actual style.

do any of you actually own a subaru or do you just make fun of them and take the bus because you can’t afford one? i can guarantee that my 06 wrx can out perform any of your kias or hyundais. and mitsubishi is garbage, how can you make tv’s and still expect to make a solid car?

Thank God. I want so much to like the STI.

Rob, why do you think that everyone here drives a Korean car?

The latest design takes getting used to just like my 02 bugeye did. Subaru’s truly age beautifully. I have never gotten so many good complements on a car I’ve owned ever as I do with my Crystal grey 06 TR.
Subaru enthusiast don’t buy WRX’s for looks, they buy them for performance and function. They are truly real enthusiast that don’t need apporval from others to feel pride in their vehicle. For me it’s a swiss army knife amongst posers, and it serves well as a small family car that can whoop a$$ on demand.
It’s great up here in the winter ridden midwest, and gets good fuel economy. It looks awesome to me and that’s all that matters. Others liking it is just an added complement.
There is nothing like a true full functional exterior, unlike those stupid trendy crap Mustangs, with their fake scoops. Subaru=Balance.
Just like my bugeye (everyone thought it was ugly ass hell when I got it) people will be clamoring for it three years from know too.